A major figure of the latter years of the Hudson River School and at one time the highest paid artist in America, Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902) was one of the first professional artists to visit the American West. His work was fueled by the notion of Manifest Destiny, the idea that Americans were divinely ordained to be the masters of the continent. Paintings like this one of Yellowstone Falls and other great natural vistas like the Yosemite Valley both inspired immigration to the West and helped convince Congress to pass the National Parks Act to protect its scenic beauties.

Bierstadt witnessed the beginning of the destruction of his beloved landscape,
especially after the popularity of Church's painting of Niagara. Early in the
19th century, most people considered Niagara Falls to be "the nation's most
magnificent natural spectacle." But that spectacle was desecrated as developers
harnessed the falls for power, cut the timber that surrounded them, and turned
the best scenic overlooks into curios stands selling cheap souvenirs. According
to historian Alfred Runte, the national shame felt about Niagara spurred people
into action. When Albert Bierstadt presented to America his images of Yosemite
Valley, people insisted that the area be protected from Niagara's fate. Instead
of allowing the valley...